Pancreatic rendez-vous

Therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been continuously evolving for the past three decades and has become widely used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The efficacy of therapeutic EUS (TEUS) has proven to be superior and better tolerated than conventional percutaneous or surgical techniques. TEUS has allowed the performance of multiple procedures including gallbladder, pancreatic duct and biliary drainage as well as gastrointestinal anastomoses. TEUS procedures generally require the following critical steps: needle access, guidewire placement, fistula creation and stent deployment. The indications and contraindication for TEUS procedures vary with different procedures but common contraindications include hemodynamic instability, severe coagulopathy unable to be reversed, large volume ascites or the inability to obtain access to the target site. Proficiency and high volume in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and diagnostic EUS procedures are required for training in TEUS. The complexity of the cases performed can be seen as a pyramid with drainage of pancreatic fluid collections at the base, pancreaticobiliary decompression in the middle, and creation of digestive anastomosis at the top. The mastery of each level is crucial prior to reaching the next level of complexity. TEUS has been incorporated in our arsenal and is impacting on a daily basis the way we offer minimally invasive therapy.

Various innovative roles for 3-Fr microcatheters in pancreaticobiliary endoscopy

With the development of newer devices and technical innovations, pancreaticobiliary endoscopy is expanding to assume more advanced therapeutic roles. As with other devices, slimmed-down "3-Fr microcatheters" are considered to be opening new windows toward entirely new therapeutic techniques for various purposes. Our practical experience with a total of 34 consecutive patients in whom 3-Fr microcatheters were applied during pancreaticobiliary endoscopic procedures clarified the potential roles of this instrument in pancreaticobiliary endoscopy. The major benefits of 3-Fr microcatheters involve their slimness and flexibility. Applications of 3-Fr microcatheters could be categorized into three groups according to the characteristics of usage: (1) utilization as a cannulation catheter for peroral digital cholangioscopy (n = 15); (2) selective advancement through deep flexures or severely stenotic ducts (n = 11); or (3) two-devices-in-one-channel technique (n = 8). The microcatheter worked successfully for cannulation of cholangioscopy in all but one case (14/15, 93.3%). For selective advancement, the microcatheter worked for troubleshooting in 9 of 11 cases (81.8%). With the two-devices-in-one-channel technique, the microcatheter proved satisfactory in all cases (8/8, 100%). In total, the microcatheter was successfully maneuvered in 31 of 34 cases (91.1%), following the failure of procedures using conventional endoscopic techniques. In terms of adverse events, cystic duct injury was only observed in two cases (5.8%), who recovered under conservative observation, because its slimness could minimize the damage. We believe that 3-Fr microcatheters offer effective and safe salvage troubleshooting during various endoscopic pancreaticobiliary procedures that face troublesome situations with conventional strategies.

A novel pancreatic rendezvous technique for cannulation of the minor papilla

Endoscopic procedures for the main pancreatic duct (MPD) are usually performed via major papilla. Minor papilla may be a feasible approach in some cases which attempts of cannulation through major papilla was also failed. Herein, we report the case of a novel method for the minor papilla cannulation.

Percutaneous transcholecystic metallic stent placement for malignant obstruction of the common bile duct: preliminary clinical evaluation

PURPOSE

To evaluate the technical success and clinical effectiveness of percutaneous transcholecystic placement of self-expanding metallic stents for the treatment of malignant obstructions of the common bile duct.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifteen patients with malignant obstruction at the lower level of the common bile duct not amenable to surgery were retrospectively reviewed in this study. In all patients, conventional biliary drainage via transhepatic peripheral duct access or endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) were technically difficult or deemed so at imaging evaluation. The causes of obstruction were cholangiocarcinoma (n = 7), pancreatic carcinoma (n = 6), and metastatic lymphadenopathy from gastric carcinoma in the hepatoduodenal ligament (n = 2). Following percutaneous cholecystostomy, a 5-F catheter was inserted into the common bile duct, duodenum, or the anastomosed jejunum through the cystic duct and the malignant obstruction and metallic stents were placed. The technical success was defined as the removal of the drainage tube after the stent placement for the obstruction. The mean follow-up period was 25.4 months.

RESULTS

Sixteen stents were placed in 15 patients. Technical success was achieved in all patients (100%) without major complications. Minor complications included controllable pain or self-limited hemobilia in six of the 15 patients (40%). Lower bilirubin levels compared with those before the procedure were achieved in 14 of the 15 patients (93%).

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous transcholecystic placement of metallic stents is a feasible and effective method to manage malignant obstruction at the lower level of the common bile duct not amenable to surgery when conventional biliary drainage via transhepatic peripheral duct access or ERBD were technically difficult or deemed so at imaging evaluation.

The role of endoscopy in the therapy of chronic pancreatitis

Almost all the therapeutic efforts in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis are directed towards pain control. Endoscopic techniques available for this purpose are endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (combined or not with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) and endoscopic ultrasound. Pancreatic stones and strictures, pancreatic pseudocysts, and common bile duct strictures complicating chronic pancreatitis can be treated by endoscopy. The development of endoscopic ultrasound extended the possibilities in the treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts and main pancreatic duct drainage. Endoscopy is considered the first-line treatment in chronic pancreatitis and can be useful also as a 'bridge to surgery'. In fact the endoscopic approach to chronic pancreatitis can predict the response to surgical therapy as a definitive treatment. Medical, endoscopic and surgical methods for the management of chronic pancreatitis should all be considered in decision-making, and the best treatment should be chosen case by case and according to the local expertise.

Endoscopic minor papilla interventions in patients without pancreas divisum

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic treatment through the minor papilla is well known in patients with pancreas divisum. However, there are few data concerning endoscopic minor papilla interventions in patients without pancreas divisum when access to the main pancreatic duct via the major papilla is technically difficult.

METHODS

Records for 213 patients without pancreas divisum who, from April 2001 to June 2003, underwent ERCP for various pancreatic diseases were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were included if they had endoscopic interventions via the minor papilla because access through the major papilla was not possible.

OBSERVATIONS

Minor papilla papillotomy or fistulotomy with endoscopic interventions was successful in 10 (91%) of 11 patients. Of these 10 patients, 9 had chronic pancreatitis and one had pancreatic ductal leak from previous pancreatic surgery. The reasons for the inability to access the main pancreatic duct to the tail of the gland via the major papilla included a distorted course of the main pancreatic duct (n=5), impacted stone (n=5), and stricture (n=8). In 8 patients, there were two causes. No complication related to the minor papilla interventions was observed in any patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic minor papilla interventions are technically feasible in patients with pancreatic diseases but not pancreas divisum when access to the main pancreatic duct via the major papilla is not possible.